Reckless Driving: What Can Be the Possible Consequences?
Reckless driving can be a very scary experience for the driver, as well as everyone involved. Added to that, if you get pulled over for reckless driving, it can quickly turn up to be a fiasco, and can lead to harsh penalties.
Not just that, but reckless driving also carries long-lasting consequences for your future. That’s why it is very crucial to understand the difference between road rage and reckless driving. Apart from that, you also need to be aware of the consequences you might face if you are ever charged with reckless driving.
Fortunately, a skilled Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help you tackle this difficult situation.
Instances of Reckless Driving
Reckless driving is a traffic violation that comes with a broad legal definition. It involves driving in willful disregard for the safety of others. It can also be defined as showing no regard for property. This offense is often charged in connection with other incidents, like DUI or serious car accidents. This charge can be very subjective, and the officer’s judgment plays a big role.
Instances that can be regarded as reckless driving in Pittsburgh include-
- Excessive speeding: Driving at a speed that’s much higher than the posted limit shows a disregard for safety. For instance, going 90 mph in a 45 mph zone.
- Aggressive driving: This includes swerving in and out of lanes amidst traffic. It can also involve cutting off other drivers.
- Road racing: Competing and speeding dangerously with another vehicle on a public road.
- Driving Under the Influence: Driving while drunk, or under the influence of drugs.
- Ignoring traffic signals: Speeding up to beat a red light can also be considered reckless.
A Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can analyze the specifics of your case and determine whether the charges levied against you are justified or not.
Penalties for Reckless Driving
A reckless driving conviction is more than a simple traffic violation. It is regarded as a criminal conviction that carries serious penalties, such as:
- A minimum fine of $200.
- A mandatory six-month license suspension.
- The convict may also face up to 90 days of imprisonment.
Apart from that, if the case involves any injury, the penalties are even more severe-
- Fines can increase to a minimum of $1,000.
- Up to 90 days of imprisonment.
- Increased insurance rates.
- Accumulation of points on your driving record.
Only an experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyer can help you avoid these severe consequences and let you walk away with reduced charges.
What are the Defense Strategies an Expert Lawyer Can Help You With?
If you are facing a reckless driving charge, you will need the help of a strong defense. And our legal team at the Logue Law Group can help you in such situations.
Here is what we can do for you-
We can challenge the officer’s evidence
We can question the officer’s version of events. We will look for errors in the police report. An officer’s personal opinion can sometimes lead to an unwarranted charge. Our skilled Pittsburgh criminal lawyers can work hard to refute this charge.
We can prove a Lack of ‘willful disregard’
Reckless driving charges require proof of intent. The prosecutor must show that you intentionally disregarded safety. Our expert attorneys can argue that your actions were a simple mistake, which can get your charges reduced! A lesser charge could be careless driving, which carries fewer penalties.
Not just that, but our experienced Pittsburgh criminal lawyers will thoroughly review your case and negotiate on your behalf to get your charges reduced. We can prove that you had a sudden emergency for which you needed to reach the destination quickly. So, no matter how complicated the situation gets, call us at 844.PITT.DUI and get a free consultation today!